School Tours & Tickets

The North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE)—the nation’s largest purebred livestock show—is a great opportunity to demonstrate to students where many of our foods and textile fibers come from, how farmers (including youth farmers!) care for animals each day, and what it takes to be the best of the best in the livestock world! Think of the NAILE as the Olympics for livestock, held each November in Louisville. The Kentucky Exposition Center is filled with excitement, as thousands of exhibitors and their animals compete in show rings with the most knowledgeable judges in the industry.

Students who have never visited a farm will find the show rings and the bustling show “barns” filled with animals being groomed, fed, and milked fascinating. The Children’s Barnyard offers up-close encounters with dozens of species of farm animals, including cattle, llamas, horses, goats, sheep, swine, and even hatching chicks. Plus, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s interactive area is a fun, farm-themed obstacle course designed to teach youth about Kentucky’s food, fiber, and equine heritage. The NAILE is a giant classroom like no other!  

Students in agricultural communities—including FFA and 4-H youth—can observe the show rings and collegiate judging contests to elevate their own knowledge and skills and experience the excitement of the North American Championship Rodeo.

School groups are welcome to attend and take self-guided tours. Admission is FREE for students and chaperones (number of chaperones not to exceed number of students) when booked in advance. For curriculum information, email stephanie.seber@kyvenues.com.

4-H and FFA student groups looking to attend the North American Championship Rodeo can do so at a discounted rate.